I've used spinnerbaits a lot this year and I've found that I've been missing a lot of fish... too many.  I must be doing something wrong but I don't know what.  I know I could put on a trailer hook but I don't think I'll get as many bites.  Maybe I'm setting the hook wrong or something.  Any ideas?

 

Thanks in advance...

ps. I always try to keep my hooks sharp, so I don't think that's the problem.

pss. I've been fishing spinnerbaits on a BPS extreme MH 7-foot rod with powerpro line.

I would go with a extra hook first. Fish don't care and hook up % is better. The next thing remember that you don't have to jerk a spinnerbait a nice fluid sweep gets the job done. The third is your rod choice. I have gone to a more forgiving rod and away from extra fast tips.  use a M or MH Mederate Fast tip rod which helps from jerking the bait from the fish. IMO

I agree with spotaholic. Add that trailer hook!

trailer hook!!!i always use one.

I think the key is the line.  Braid has no stretch.  With a Med hvy rod and braided line you really don't need to "set" the hook on a fast moving bait like a spinnerbait.  I use the same set up as you and have a good hookup percentage on spinnerbaits just sort of tightening the grip on the rod a little after I feel the fish hit.  It's kind of hard to describe but do not "cross their eyes" you are probably tearing the hook out or enlarging the hole so it's easier for mr LMB to throw the hook.  Just give a little nudge to the rod when he hits.  Your using a set up that has little if any give to it, so let it do all the work.

#1- Sharpen factory hooks. I've yet to see a factory hook that is sharp enough for my taste.

#2- If you're going to use a trailer hook, ignore #1, and sharpen the factory trailer hook. If weeds are a problem, you can use a wired weedless trailer hook (sharpness is really key on these, though)

#3- I agree with what's been said. Use a more limber rod and less hookset. I agree that the line makes a difference. I've used a more limber rod and Cajun line (I find it has quite a bit of stretch) on my cranks and spinners the last two seasons and have had more hooksets (IMO).

I've not seen any decrease in bites since using trailer hooks, only an increase in hooksets. I don't think that the fish mind the trailer. A friend of mine re-educated me in spinnerbaits a few years ago and I use them at least 40% of the time (almost 75% in the spring).

Keep'em sharp-

Fisher

Thanks for the tips guys.  

What kinds of trailer hooks do you recommend and how do you attach them? If you're using surgical tubing is it better to slip it over the hook eye and then put the hook on or should I just let the hook swing free and then put a piece of tubing on after to keep it on?  

and another question....

How do you guys feel about red trailer hooks?

Do you think the fish "target" that hook better?

I'm with Fisher of Men-sharpen the hooks.

For attaching a trailer hook I use a hole punch on a plastic coffee can lid and use one of the plastic disks to keep it on.  I like to have trailer hooks free swinging, so I put the trailer hook on the main hook, then punch the point of the main hook through the center of the plastic disk and slide it down on the main hook, like this:

I can't imagine why a trailer hook would cut down on the number of bites. I use one all the time and it's not at all unusual for the fish to be hooked on the trailer hook only.

I disagree with Fisher of Men's comment #2. Sharpen the spinnerbait hook, period, whether you use a trailer hook or not.

I've caught lots of bass with a trailer hook.It shouldn't hurt your number of bites.

How clear is your water?  I would suggest you try mono or flourocarbon line.  There is a god chance your fish are short striking or breaking pursuit off at the last second due to seeing the line.

Since you know you are missing fish, you know that:

- they are interested in your bait (good selection)

- you are in a good area, holding fish

- your retrieve is right or almost right

- you said your hooks are plenty sharp

A trailer hook would help some and a soft plastic trailer on the primary hook will be sucked in easier... but IMO your scenario reeks of line shy fish.  Also I would not worry about the rod selection, unless you are after extremely lethargic fish, you won't hook any more with a slower action rod... you are setting hook on the bite, which is felt.  Remember this, unless sight or topwater fishing, most people miss fish from being too slow to react.  

I've heard it said there's only one situation where you use a trailer hook;

When you want to catch fish.  If you don't care about catching fish a trailer hook is not nessecary.

Hey pmoravek, I don't like using red trailer hooks because then the fish key on the trailer hook so if they short-strike you'll end-up  missing'em. If you're gonna use red I suggest painting the main hook red.

If you are experiencing what I call "short strikes", a fish just barely lipping it, I do a couple of things.   I will trim my skirt, booyah spinner baits have long skirts, so I'll trim some off to shorten the skirt, smaller profile, I always have replacement skirts.  If a trailer or shorter skirt isn't putting them in the boat, the fish are telling you to make another adjustment.   Blu-bird sky, clear to slightly stained, do you have two silver blades on? not one of each.   Maybe your spinner bait is too big, or too small, is it threadfin, gizzard shad, brim, shinners?  What is the baitfish they are persueing?  What size?   After a couple of short strikes, you should be making changes, do not wait, start up sizing for a bigger profile, or down size.   Make the slight color adjustments also.  I use Terminator skirts, easy to change in less than  minute, no excuses for not adjusting.  Try smaller blades, larger blades, if you make 10 changes and finally get a few in the boat,  you are adapting to what the fish are telling you.   I also use the different color garlic markers, this will add color when the right skirt isn't in your tackle box.    I keep extra skirts in a plastic bag in a side pouch, only seconds to make changes.    Just remember, the fish is seeing something that doesn't look right, a change is needed.   retrieval speeds, colors, bait profile size, blade styles, colors, and sizes.

I would definetly put a trailer hook on there. And also use a monofilament line with a spinnerbait and other baits your in constant contact with it, because power pro has no stretch which will pull it right out of there mouth, where the monofilament will stretch a little.

I have problems too, but I'm pretty sure it is my rod choice. I think I found a better setup, but I only got to use it once before all the snow and cold weather. That particular day the bass were feasting on a chrome RatL-Trap and I never put the spinnerbait back on.

I also saw a bass come in a nail my spinnerbait from the side, but it never opened it's mouth. It just slammed into it at high speed. I know that happens, but it was the first time I saw it so clearly with my own eyes. That certainly made me realize why I prefer a crankbait with all them nasty treble hooks.

Im with Avid on this one it sounds to me like you keep pulling the bait away from the fish. Braided line has no stretch and a moderate tip on the rod is more forgiving, but you could also back off of the drags using a faster tip to allow a little slip on hookup. All of my spinnerbait rods are mediumheavy fast tips, I only use mono on them but still back the drags off to allow some drag slip on hookups.

I'm a firm believer in the trailer hook! Won't throw one without it! The rod I use for spinnerbaiits is a 7' MH Bass Pro Shops Bionic Blade and I use 14 to 20# Flurocarbon. It has less stretch than mono but I still get solid hook sets. As for the red trailer hook question, I want the bass to be drawn to the main body of the bait. In my opinion, a red trailer might draw more attention to the back of the bait and may cause more short stikes. As with everyone else, keep the hooks sharp (both of them)! Hope this helps! Good luck and let us know if our input helps!

Thanks for the help everyone.

I'm gonna' stock up on trailer hooks over the winter and as soon as the lakes unfreeze up here I'll definitely be trying this stuff out.

Thanks again and happy holidays.

If your committed to the braid, try not setting the hook. Just real faster and pull back a little on the rod. I use braid for buzzbaits, and the fish will hook themselves with this technique. I've not tried it with spinnerbaits. Don't know if it will work. I use fluoro for spinnerbaits, and a softer rod. About trailer hook, I'll almost always start off without one, then put one on if I get a couple of short strikes. In my experience, adding a trailer hook increases your hook-up ratio about the same amount as your hang-up ratio. You should probably ignore that last comment if you're a tournament angler. I'm not, so missing the first spinnerbait bite is not the end of the wolrd for me. I agree with the comment about short strikes made earlier. It's possible the fish changed it's mind at the last second. My first response to this is to change baits and go with something more subtle. If you're using a double-blade, go with a single, and/or a more natural color. If that doesn't work try a heavier bait cranked faster to give the fish less time to change it's mind.

Here's another tip. Put the trailer hook on "upside-down". You'll have the spinnerbait hook pointing up and the trailer hook pointing down. I think this increases your chances at the short strikes. Just don't throw this into weeds and brush. It will hang up every time. This is an open water option.

Good luck to all,

GK

Trailer hooks and SHARP hooks. I use a spinnerbait rod and back off the drag with Trilene 12 lb mono. Works great. But once hooking, don't try to overpower. Did that this fall and had a nice 7-8 lb spit it back at me about 6' from the boat. Messed me up for a hour. think I tried to power it and tore the hook set in the jaw more. then the fish run at me and got some loose line.